Republican Committees Urge FTC Investigation of Google Email Suppression

Republican campaign committees, including the National Republican Congressional Committee and the National Republican Senate Committee, have formally requested the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate Google over allegations that its Gmail algorithm suppresses conservative emails by directing them to spam folders. They claim that during the 2024 election cycle, only about 30% of their campaign emails reached recipients' primary inboxes, significantly hindering communication and fundraising efforts. This renewed call for investigation follows a 2023 lawsuit against Google for similar allegations, which was dismissed by the courts. Google denies any political bias, stating that its spam filters operate uniformly based on user behavior and email quality. The Republican committees emphasize that their emails are sent only to opted-in recipients and argue that suppression of these messages impacts election transparency and voter engagement. The FTC's inquiry, part of a broader investigation into digital platform practices, could have substantial implications for political communication and content moderation ahead of upcoming elections.